Acadia LSDAR meets at LSU Eunice

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 1:36pmadmin

The Louisiana Room of the Arnold LeDoux Library on the LSU Eunice campus was the setting for a joint meeting of Acadia and Opelousas Chapters of the Louisiana Society of Daughters of the American Revolution on March 12.

Elaine Simon, Acadia Chapter Community Service Chairman, presented the Chapter’s Award to recipient Edward Gary. Gary is a WWII veteran and has works with veterans and veteran organizations since his discharge from the military. He also uses his musical skills to entertain the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home residents with Cajun music. He was presented a certificate and a lapel pin in recognition of his service.

State Community Service Chairman Alma Reed asked Gary to return to the podium where she presented him a certificate from the LSDAR as the State Winner of the Community Service Award for his work with our veterans.

Reed, as Acadia Chapter Chairman of American History, explained that each year, March is designated as “Women’s History Month”. At this time DAR Chapters can honor women in the area who have rendered service to their communities and have exemplified the place of women in America’s history. This year’s recipient for the Acadia Chapter Award was Jo Cart, newspaper publisher of Rayne. Cart was also presented with a certificate and flowers from the Acadia Chapter.

Lacombe then asked Kathleen Stagg, Opelousas Regent, to introduce Dr. Gerald Patout, Director of the LSU Eunice Library, as guest speaker. Mr. Patout began by telling us of his various experiences as a Librarian and especially in the Genealogy Departments. of each of the aforesaid libraries. Since he has been at LSUE he has made materials available electronically for students and increased reading and research materials.

Dr. Patout’s special interest in genealogy is in the foods and culture of this area. He has an extensive personal library of books relating to these subjects.

The Library has a rare collection of books given to it by the Sabatier Family. Some of this material has been put on the LSUE web site. He is developing a collection of Cajun cook books in the library and is also securing family genealogy books from the area which will be available for the students and interested persons’ use.

Charlene LaCombe presented Dr. Patout with two editions of the Guidry Family Genealogy for the library’s collection. Elaine Simon presented a CD of the Hoffpauir Family History to be included in the LeDoux Library Genealogy section. Alma Reed and Charlene LaCombe also donated a copy of the Pictorial Directory of Acadia Parish Veterans which they authored.

The president general’s message, “Celebrating a Monumental Milestone” was read by Regent Kathleen Stagg of Opelousas Chapter.

Elaine Simon reported that 11 schools have been contacted asking for recommendations for the National Defense Award given to an 8th grade student.

Simon, Chaplain was asked to give the Benediction after which refreshments were served.